events of 1789. But the excesses of democracy, and dread of the military despotism to which they were obviously leading, awoke him from his brief dream of human perfectibility, and his literary career commenced, in 1793, with a translation of Burke's famous Essay on the French Revolution.' In 1794 he published a translation, with preface and remarks, of Mallet du Pan's book on the same subject; and in 1795 a translation, with remarks and additions, of a work in the same spirit by Mounier. On the accession of Frederic William III. to the throne of Prussia, in November, 1797, Gentz ventured on the bold and (for a Prussian official) unprecedented step of addressing what he termed a Sendschreiben (missive) to his new sovereign on his rights, duties, and opportunities. It is a pamphlet of thirty-two pages, somewhat in the style of Bolingbroke's 'Patriot King.' He was a frequent contributor, as an avowed champion of reaction, to periodicals; and, amongst other articles of note, wrote one which might more properly be denominated an essay against Robespierre and St. Just.

In January, 1795, he founded and edited the Neue Deutsche Monatsschrift (New German Monthly), which lasted only four months; and in January, 1799, in cooperation with Professor Ancillon and with funds supplied by a minister, he established the Historisches Journal, which was continued monthly till the end of 1800; after which it appeared every three or four months, till its expiration in 1802. His own contributions were mostly of a comprehensive and sustained character, composed with the view of being subsequently

republished as books. One series of articles On the Origin and Character of the War against the French Revolution,' was composed with express reference to Great Britain; and before the end of the century he had visited England, and formed intimate relations, based on mutual respect and confidence, with (amongst many others) Mackintosh, Lord Grenville, and Pitt. For more than twenty years he remained in constant and confidential communication with the leading members of successive English ministries, who, besides resorting to him for information touching continental matters, made free use of his pen in drawing up papers on English taxation, paper-money, and finance. From 1800 inclusive, we are enabled to track his progress, step by step, in the diaries; and, through the 'kindness of Baron von Prokesch, we have the additional aid of a note-book, in Gentz's handwriting, entitled, Liste générale des Personnes que j'ai vues depuis le commencement de l'année 1800,' headed by the following 'Observations: '

'The commencement of the year 1800, or rather the end of 1799, is the epoch at which the sphere of my liaisons has rapidly and considerably increased. I had very interesting ones before this epoch, and I propose to form a table of them apart; but it is since 1800 that I have properly begun to figure on the stage of the world, that I have constantly lived with men of all classes, and that society has become one of the principal objects of my occupations, of my studies, and of my enjoyments.'

This list, he explains, does not contain ephemeral, commonplace, or insignificant rer.counters or acquaint

1

ances: it is absolutely meant only to form the base and furnish the elements of a table of social relations and social commerce, properly so called.' A list of correspondents is added; and the degrees of intimacy are indicated by marks prefixed to the names—a cross expressing familiar acquaintance, and an asterisk intimacy. Headed by the King and Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Clarence, it includes all the personages of note, English and foreign, then resident or sojourning in London.

The published diary begins on the 14th April, 1800, characteristically enough:

'On the 14th of April an agreeable surprise. The JewElder Hirsch brought me fifty thalers for drawing up I know not what representation. On the 28th of May, received through Baron Brüdener, as a present from the Emperor of Russia, a watch set with (small) brilliants.'

The word (small) before brilliants would seem to show that, in appreciating honorary gifts, he acted on the same principle as Dr. Parr, who, when consulted about the design of a gold ring destined for him, said he cared more for the weight than the form.

The next entry relates to the first English remit

tance:

Received a written communication through Garlicke from Lord Grenville, together with a donation of 500l. sterling, the first of this kind! (The note of admiration is his own.)

'February. Very remarkable that, on the one side, Lord Carysfort charged me with the translation into French of the published" English Notes against Prussia," and shortly

afterwards Count Haugwitz with the translation into German of the "Prussian Notes against England."

66

'Towards the end of March, finished the book on the Origin of the Revolutionary War,"1 and formed the resolution to answer that of Hauterive. This work was undertaken in Schömberg.'

The work of Hauterive was a semi-official attack on England, and its complete refutation by so masterly and well-informed a writer as Gentz, was a valuable service not merely to the libelled country, but to Europe. It was translated into English, with an able preface, by a gentleman who afterwards became a member of the British Cabinet.2

'April.-Deep emotion at the death of a dog. A proof how strongly everything belonging to domestic ties, amidst all dissipation, affected me. News of the death of the Emperor Paul. Impression which, first the universal joy and later the fearful publication of this news, made on me.'

His mode of life at this time, in its wild recklessness, resembles that of Savage, who often spent in a night's revelry the borrowed money which should have saved him from privation and annoyance for weeks. Thus, after losing seventy-four louis-d'or at play, Gentz manages with difficulty to raise seventy more by pledging a manuscript, and loses the money the same evening at the same house. In the midst of all these follies, he

1

Ueber den Ursprung und Character des Krieges gegen die Französische Revolution. Berlin: 1801. Republished from the Historisches Journal.'

2 The State of Europe Before and After the French Revolution.' Being an answer to L'Etat de la France à la Fin de l'An VIII. Translated by John Charles Herries, Esq.: 1802.'

writes, Nov. 14, 'I resolve to travel to Weimar with my brother Henry, and remain there fourteen days.' He went and spent three weeks there, mostly in the Grand Ducal circle, and (what he valued more) in daily, almost hourly intercourse with Goethe, Schiller, Herder, Wieland, and Kotzebue; whilst flattered vanity, and favoured if not successful love, kept adding to the intoxication and the charm. His enchantress was a young court beauty, Amalie d'Imhoff, who afterwards acquired some celebrity as a poet. On one occasion he writes: I passed the morning at Mlle. d'Imhoff's; it was a remarkable morning-hours which I shall remember to my dying day. I never experienced a sensation equal to that which enchanted me this morning. I even fancied I saw approaching the moment of a great internal revolution.' On another: I read and wrote till eleven. I then went to Mlle. d'Imhoff's, where I again enjoyed all that is fine, pure, and grand in the commerce of mankind.'

This visit to Weimar having revealed to him how much elevated and improving pleasure may be derived from the intellect and imagination, apart from the indulgence of the senses, he forms some excellent resolutions, which are forgotten almost immediately after his return to the scene of his repented errors.

'Effect of the resolutions at Weimar. On the 25th of December I lost all I had at hazard, so I was obliged to run about the whole of the following day to raise a few dollars for Christmas presents. On the 1st of January (1803), I sup and play at one Buisson's, go home about one, but forget the house-key, and pass the night elsewhere. I could not